becoming new hampshire

Since returning from April’s Spring South trip I’ve busied myself with seasonal repairs, property cleanup, and general improvements.

This process has helped me realize something critical about my experience living in the cabin… I’m finding joy in allowing things around me to be NOT new.

Defining NOT New
Put simply, there’s a special kind of ‘newness’ new things seem to have. And it can be really nice. New things are shiny or smooth and generally flawless. But allowing things to show wear lets us know that someone has lived here… and done things… and maybe even done them in a specific way.

It’s a small relief to feel I don’t need to worry about things becoming NOT new. Oddly, this is a new experience for me.

Growing Self Reliance
As long as things function as I need them to, I’m good to go. And if they don’t, a twist of the screw here… a tap of the hammer there… and all’s right with the world. Or my little piece of it, at least.

Increased self reliance. I guess that’s the point. It’s a trait generally thought of as common to New Englanders, and maybe I’m just starting to absorb it? I post this here to remind myself of the value of things getting good use and aging naturally.

Including my own self.